Men O\' War Weekly
December 23, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Burlington News Release
Lexington, KY-The Men O' War finished the weekend 1-1-1 to hit the holiday break with a .500 record for the season. The weekend began with a heartbreaking shootout loss to the Reading Royals at Rupp Arena. The Men O' War traveled to Wheeling on Saturday. The Nailers upset the MOW 5-4 in an intra-division match-up. The MOW returned to Rupp Arena on Sunday to face the Johnstown Chiefs. The MOW capitalized on seven power play chances by scoring four power play goals in the win. The MOW return to action on Friday in Greensboro. After the Greensboro match-up the MOW travel to Roanoke on Saturday. The MOW finish up the weekend with a re-match with the Nailers at Rupp Arena on Sunday.
Friday, December 20th â Reading 3 at Lexington 2 SO
The MOW fired a season-high 52 shots on Reading goalie Jeff Sanger, but Lexington was only able to fool Sanger twice. Van Burgess scored his 12th marker of the season, and Jay Banach added his first of the year.
Saturday, December 21stâ Lexington 4 at Wheeling 5
The Nailers ended a four-game losing streak by beating the Men in dramatic fashion 5-4. Mark Major capped a two-goal come back late in the third with the game winner with 1:13 left in the contest. Wheeling's Mike Valley stopped 42 shots in the Nailers' win. Brett Draney, Joe Vandermeer, Mark Smith and Ben Storey scored for the MOW.
Sunday, December 22nd â Johnstown at Lexington
The Men O' War power play was electric on Sunday night. The MOW converted seven power play chances into four power play goals to defeat the Chiefs 4-2. Jared Smyth scored two power play goals. Alex Mathieu and Brett Draney added the other goals as the MOW won an important division game before the holiday break.
SMITH NAMED TO ALL-STAR SQUAD
Tuesday the East Coast Hockey League announced goaltender Mike Smith has been selected to the 2003 Northern Conference ECHL All-Star team. Smith will play in the 2003 Compuware/ECHL All-Star game on January 21st at TECO Arena in Estero, FL. The coaches and media of the Northern Conference select the starters and the remaining roster spots. Smith makes the roster as one of the top goaltenders in the ECHL. He currently ranks fifth in goals against average at 2.49. The rookie net minder has a 6-6-3 record with a .916 save percentage. Smith has been recalled twice this season by the Utah Grizzlies of the AHL. The 2001 5th Round (161st Overall) NHL Draft Pick of the Dallas Stars (161st Overall) suited up once for the Grizzlies. In his AHL debut Smith stopped 37 shots in a 2-1 overtime win over Philadelphia.
UPCOMING GAMES......
The Men O' War head to Greensboro to take on the Generals on Friday. The Generals spoiled the MOW's season opener with a 4-3 shootout win on October 11th. On Saturday, the MOW travel to Roanoke to face the Express. The MOW won their only previous meeting with Roanoke. Lexington derailed the Express on November 30th with a 5-2 win. The Men O' War wrap up the weekend at home against the Wheeling Nailers. The season series with the Nailers is tied at one win apiece.
MOW TRACKS...
The Men O' War are the only ECHL team to not allow a shorthanded goal this season...Lexington has recorded a point in their last five home games...Van Burgess has scored in four of his last five home games. During the last five home games, Burgess has registered 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points.
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